We are thinking of investing 100 MLN GEL for the development of basketball in the county to facilitate the performance of the National Basketball Federation of Georgia. It was announced by the Prime Minister at a meeting with Paata Guraspauli, President of the National Basketball Federation.

According to Irakli Garibashvili, the Government intends to introduce a program for the development of basketball with an aim of wide scale promotion of this sports type in the country.

“On behalf of the Government, I wish to assure you in my full respect and support towards the Basketball Federation. We have a very important event ahead of us - EuroBasket 2022. Thus, all our common effort should be directed at a successful hosting of this great event. You have the support of the Government and, of course, you know that we have commissioned the construction of a huge sports hall. Government is fully engaged in the process and intends to do more. It is my desire to work jointly on the plans for the future. We are thinking of investing 100 MLN GEL for the development of basketball in the county to advance the sports and to further facilitate the performance of the National Basketball Federation of Georgia. Advancement and development towards this end should also reach the regions of Georgia and it is essential to create basketball schools there so that talented youth turn into promising sportsmen. We have gathered today to talk about this and other topics. I also wish us to listen to our team member - Victor Sanikidze - a celebrated basketball player and distinguished sportsman. He has his own vision and ideas towards this end”, - said the Prime Minister.

He thanked Paata Guraspauli, President of the National Basketball Federation and Giorgi Kartvelishvili, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation, FIBA Board Member and President of the FIBA Europe Legal Committee. for their dedicated service.

“I wish to thank you Paata and Giga. You truly did and tend to do a lot for basketball. We all know it well that your contribution is tremendous in the development of this sport and I wish to thank you and every member of your team on behalf of the Government of Georgia. Of course, it is our desire to have peace, unity, strength and development in the basketball community - your family - and let me assure you that your interaction with the line ministry and Government will be harmonious. You will have all the help, support and encouragement personally from me. Amount I referred to - 100 MLN GEL - will be invested and a more elaborate vision and plan will be presented. We wish to pay great attention to basketball. I now know that your elections are approaching and will be of course held in a peaceful and civilised manner - as fitting to us - our common family and profession. Peace and development should be present. We need it. EuroBasket should also be held as a success story. It should be one of our main goals, leading to a further development. Basketball should be advanced to a higher level and it should be promoted in the country. In real terms, a lot of talent and potential exists in the country for the development of basketball. It is clearly evidenced by Victor Sanikidze and a lot of other successful sportsmen”, - added Irakli Garibashvili.

Paata Guraspauli, President of the National Federation of Basketball expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of Georgia for his support. In his opinion, basketball is one of the most successful sports in the country, which is of great merits to all, including the support demonstrated by the Government of Georgia.

Meeting held at the Government Administration engaged Thea Tsulukiani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia; MP Victor Sanikidze, Deputy Chairman of Sports and Youth Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia; Giorgi Kartvelishvili, Secretary General of the National Federation of Basketball, FIBA Europe Board Member and President of Legal Committee within FIBA Europe.